Chapter 61

Hu Yulin readily agreed.

The sturdy servants piled the raw materials in sacks in the storage room, with graphite and clay making up the largest quantities.

Qin Ke left the residence on business, and Hu Yulin relaxed considerably. As he sat with Rong Xi in the study, his expression suddenly turned grave. "I heard His Majesty established the Military Equipment Bureau, and I guessed it had something to do with you. Now that I see Prince Qin here, it seems my guess was correct."

"Brother is sharp-witted. Xi admires you." Rong Xi poured him tea and said calmly, "I know you worry about me. But a man standing in this world must never drift through life in obscurity. I have no intention of entering officialdom, but I still wish to do what I can and accomplish something practical."

Hu Yulin sighed with feeling. "That is well enough. A man is guilty for possessing a jade ring; should someone with ill intent covet it, you may suffer harm."

Rong Xi only smiled without speaking.

After dinner, Hu Yulin set off for home, and Qin Ke returned.

"Have you eaten dinner?" No sooner had Rong Xi spoken than he heard Qin Ke's stomach growl, and his eyes curved as he laughed.

Seeing Qin Ke's dark expression, he could only suppress his laughter and ask, "What would you like to eat?"

"Anything."

He sounded entirely undiscerning.

Rong Xi knew his tastes and did not ask further, instead heading straight for the kitchen.

Before long, he set a tray on the table, its rich fragrance spreading through the room.

There was a bowl of bone broth noodles, the soup thick and milky white, garnished with goji berries and chopped scallions—pleasing to both eye and palate.

In the dish beside it was vegetarian roast goose,